DOUGIE Freedman has left Crystal Palace to become the new manager of Bolton Wanderers.

A statement on the Palace website just after 3.15pm today confirmed the switch.

The statement read: "Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that first team manager Dougie Freedman has joined Bolton Wanderers.

"The Board of the Club would like to put on record their thanks to Dougie for all his efforts over the past couple of years and their disappointment over the events of the past few days.

"The search for a replacement starts immediately."

Sources suggest Freedman agreed and signed a contract with Wanderers today, reportedly a three-year deal after Palace granted the Whites permission to talk to the Scot 24 hours earlier.

The 38-year-old is expected to watch Wanderers from the stands at Wolves tonight.

Wanderers are yet to release any official confirmation.